Helen (Giampietro) Ritucci, age 101, passed away peacefully during her sleep on Sunday, February 4, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Louis Ritucci, Sr.
Born in Waterbury, on October 28, 1922, Helen was the daughter of the late Ferdinand and AnnaZupita (Amicone) Giampietro. She was a graduate of Wilby High School, Class of 1940 and a longtime communicant of St. Lucy’s Church. She worked for Chase Brass and Copper Company, at Uniroyal in Naugatuck as a stitcher, and retired from Mattatuck Manufacturing as a timekeeper. Some of her favorite work memories were gathering with the ladies for lunch at Donovan’s Pharmacy, greeting the John F. Kennedy motorcade in Naugatuck while he was on his way to the Waterbury green, and enjoying the laughs in her daily carpool to and from Naugatuck which was one of the first cars to drive over the “new” Mixmaster.
Always on the go and always “doing”, Helen loved to sew, crochet and tend to her garden. Helen most cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially loved Sunday and holiday meals, featuring her famous homemade raviolis, sauce, and meatballs. Helen will be remembered as the most giving, kindest, sweetest and loving person. Not a birthday or anniversary went by without Helen’s personal acknowledgement.
Left to cherish her memory and to honor her are her children Lois Malia and her husband Thomas, Louis Ritucci, Jr. and his wife Sharon, June Vitiello and her husband John, Anna Ritucci and Rita Jo Ritucci; and her five grandchildren Matthew Malia and his wife Shannon, Elena (Malia) Foldeak and her husband John, Michael Malia, Melissa (Malia) Michaud and her husband Daniel and Louis Ritucci, III and his wife Jennifer. Helen was blessed with eight great-grandchildren Jackson Foldeak, Gabriella Foldeak, Olivia Foldeak, Kayla Helen Ritucci, Anthony Ritucci, Evan Malia, Ryan Malia and Mackenzie Bailey and several generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins including her nephew Fred Giampietro who was like a brother to Helen. Helen was predeceased by her brothers Louis Giampietro and Carl Giampietro and her sisters Olympia Famiglietti and Bettina “Betty” Ritucci and several nieces and nephews.
Helen’s family would like to thank the passionate and caring staff at Motif in Southbury who gave Helen great care and many moments of joy.
Helen’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 9:00am from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury to Saint Leo the Great Church for a Mass at 10:00am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4:00-7:00pm. For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.
